Some Interesting things you told us in the Spring 2016 Wellbeing Survey
Health and happiness
Around 30% of people said they don’t feel that healthy and that they’re not that happy.
However, when we looked at the relationship between happy people and healthy people, we found that 84% of those who said they felt healthy also said they were happy.
So it looks like if you want to be happier being healthier may help and doing any sort of physical activity will help you be healthier,
Physical activity
When we looked at the relationship between happy people and the activity they actually do there were some clear winners!
- 1st Walking the dog or Group Fitness Classes
- 2nd Playing with children or swimming
- 3rd Running or gardening
The good news is that 60% of everyone we spoke to said they want to do more physical exercise – which is great!
When asked what they’d like to do, some clear favourites emerged:
- 16% go for a swim
- 12% go to the gym, attend a fitness session or group class
- 11% go for a walk
- 10% go cycling
- 9% have a dance
- 7% go for a run or jog
Use of parks
Many of these activities you can do yourself in your local park and it looks like using your local park has a very positive link with your health and happiness.
- 41% of panellists who use parks rate their health as good or very good vs only 25% for those who don’t use parks
- 26% of those who use parks are very happy (score 9 or 10 for happiness rating) vs 17% from those who don’t use parks
So if you want to stay healthy and feel good why not visit your local park or Wellbeing Centre where we offer access to facilities and sessions free of charge as part of the Be Active scheme. Please follow the links below.
ParkLives Birmingham
Are you looking for help and support for your free activity day? We may be able to help
Visit http://beactivebirmingham.co.uk/support
Get Together…..Feel Better…..Run Birmingham
Come along and join in – every one is welcome
2km or 5km run, jog or walk ideal for all ages and abilities – FREE weekly activity.
Wednesday’s 9.30 – 10.30am at Aston Park, Trinity Road, Aston. B6 6JD
For more information please contact us:
Email: runbirmingham@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Run-Birmingham
Twitter: @RunBirmingham
To register
for your free wrist band for Great Local Runs please visit www.grearrunlocal.org/register
Thursdays 5.30pm—6.30pm
Meet at the play area Farnborough Fields
Wear comfortable clothing and footwear—bring a drink!
Active Streets has developed out of the Streets for Play initiative that some residents had started in the Kings Heath area. Active Streets supports groups of residents to bring activity to people’s doorstep with road closures (via Temporary Road Closure Order and partnering with Highways), a range of multi sports and family fun activities on people’s doorsteps. It includes providing streets with physical activity resources to get children and families active (including archery, badminton, tennis).
The service also support residents with a city wide insurance process that covers all road closures, something that was previously a significant cost to residents and a major barrier. If you are interested in closing your street or would just like some more information contact Olga.Sukhanova@Birmingham.gov.uk
Proactive exercise classes are for people who are having treatment for cancer, or who have finished their treatment and are now living with or beyond cancer. These classes are a new initiative introduced through an exciting partnership between Birmingham City Council and Prostate Cancer UK. Classes are open to people who have had all types of cancer, not just prostate cancer.
There’s lots of evidence to show the benefits of people of being more active during and after treatment for cancer. Many everyday activities may well be suitable for many people in this situation, but these specialist classes, led by qualified instructors to provide a safe and supportive environment are a great starting point.
Proactive classes will be led by a qualified instructor and will be a group exercise session in a ‘circuits’ style. This means that there are a wide range of exercises for different parts of the body set out in stations around the room and people complete the ones suitable for them and at the intensity level right for them. People can rest when they need and miss out exercises that aren’t suitable. At the end of each session there will be a time for a chat and some refreshments.
People will be offered 12 weekly sessions to attend. This will be over a 15 week period, to allow for time holidays etc. Sessions will be free to attend to patients as Prostate Cancer UK is funding the classes in the pilot phase; until 31 March 2015.
Venues, days and times.
Proactive exercise classes are on:
Saltley Community Leisure Centre Tuesdays 11.00am – 12.15pm (new time from 21 April 2015)
Kingstanding Leisure Centre Thursdays 10.30am – 11.45am
The exercise sessions will be led instructors who are advanced fitness instructors and also have the Level 4 cancer and exercise rehabilitation specialist exercise qualification. There are also always staff on site that are first aid qualified.
